Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of the Catholic Diocese of Karonga has said that Christmas, a time Christians set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ “is not a secular celebration.”

Bishop Mtumbuka; Christmas not secular celebration

Speaking in his homily during mass at St Joseph the Worker sub-parish, through the diocese’s official radio, Tuntufye FM which Nyasa Times monitored, Mtumbuka called on the faithful in his jurisdiction and others throughout the world that they should “understand the meaning of Christmas and celebrate it is as such.”

He said it was disappointing that many Christians continue to misinterpret the significance of the time.

“To a non-believer Christmas is simply about eating and drinking, but to us it is a time that we reflect on the love of God, and how he humbled himself to redeem us,” said Mtumbuka.

He added: “Most of the times, we belittle this significance. Since we receive a lot of things from the Lord we think this is normal. But it is not. This time should help us reflect on the love of God, and his longing to redeem us all so that when our journey on this world ends we may attain everlasting life.”

The bishop also took time to thank people in all the five parishes of the diocese for being proactive in a number of projects currently underway.

Among others, the diocese, which is only about five years old is yet to finish construction of the cathedral, bishop’s house and caritas offices.

“You’ve been so generous and diligent, and I thank you for that,” he said.

Mtumbuka also hailed staff at Tuntufye FM radio for working round the clock in spreading the good news despite the many challenges they were facing.

Coincidentally, the remarks come when the radio is celebrating its first anniversary this month.

“I’m working tooth and nail so that you’ve all you need so that your work is much easier,” he said.

According to Mtumbuka, the radio, which gets as far as neighbours Tanzania and Zambia, was “receiving overwhelming support.”

He revealed that another transmitter to be installed at Livingstonia had already been purchased to widen the radio’s coverage.

“With the transmitter we hope we will able to meet the requirement of our license which is to broadcast throughout the northern region,” he said.

Tadziwerengani chizunguchi bwino. Where in this article is said that he is Bishop of Mzuzu diocese? Can you check well what is said in the first paragraph!

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3 years ago

Guest

Mikayele

Well noted Bishop.Koma are u aware many people are leaving jobs from the Catholic Church because of the mistreat they are receiving.For instance,at ECM,Chris Chisoni is no longer there.Obviously,its because the Church seem to belong to Fr. Chimombo and Martin Njolomole.Anthu amzeru atha ndithu ambuye.Zioneni bwino

God bless you Bishop! How I wish all members of the clergy (not only in the Catholic Church) were as truthful as this man. He doesn’t call a spade a big spoon and really brings sanity to the Christian faith…osati zinazi Ayi! Nanga faith leaders mukamatitsogolera ku uchimo….tikathera kuti? God’s Word is one. God cannot say this and mean that. Sin was, is and will always be sin, and the wages of sin is death! Period! If we choose to live in sin…no matter how much we go to church….we are fooling ourselves. Merry Christmas to all….and may the symbolic… Read more »

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3 years ago

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Kudu

I tend to differ with the bishop on existence of his radio. I feel all catholic radios should have been closed and support one Madio Maria to expand its reach and improve its services like language diversity et cetera. As long as these radios depend on people’s goodwill and volunteering, it will always be an uphill battle for the church